Category: blog

The playground is an excellent space for developing language and communication skills. Engaging in play fosters social interaction, cooperation, and creative expression. Here are some ideas for promoting language growth at the park: 1. Encourage Social Interaction Playgrounds naturally promote peer interactions. Encourage children to introduce themselves to new friends, take turns, and negotiate rules for games. By guiding them in social exchanges, adults can help children learn new words, practice conversation skills, and build confidence in expressing themselves. 2. Use Playful Language Narrating play activities and engaging in imaginative play can significantly enhance language development. Use descriptive words to talk about what children are doing such as, “You’re climbing so high up the ladder!” or “That slide is really

1. Encourage kids to take short movement breaks before sitting down to work 2. Break tasks into smaller, manageable steps to help them succeed 3. Give them options or choices instead of taking away all control 4. Teach basic mindfulness, breathing exercises, and help them recognize negative thoughts 5. Set up a quiet spot where they can go to regroup when needed 6. Pause and rewind a video if they’re ready to talk or ask questions. 7. Work together with your child or student to solve problems 8. Acknowledge their frustrations and praise their efforts to choose better alternatives Source:  Let’s Not Overlook Mood Disorders in Our Youth Population By Tere Bowen-Irish, OTR/L

Only have a pen and paper? No worries! The amazing thing about speech therapy is that you can practice it almost anywhere and everywhere, and all you need is a pen and paper. Whether you’re at home, on the go, or waiting for an appointment, you can work on improving your speech and language skills. Here are a few language-based activities you can do with just a pen and paper: Word Association Write down a word and then come up with as many words as you can that are related to it. For example, if you write “dog,” you might list “bone,” “bark,” “puppy,” “collar,” etc. This helps build vocabulary and strengthens connections between words. Sentence Building Write down a

My son has been saying moon all the time now, so obviously I got him a book about the moon and he loves it.  Moon (a peek a through book) by Britta Teckentrup is a book that highlights the phases of the moon and its influence of various animals.  The book contains some wonderful rhymes and is most appropriate for readers between the ages of 2-6.  However, my little guy enjoys it as well as long as I am the one talking through it, meaning I don’t stick to the text.  I point out animals I know he likes or will make a rhyming phrase/sentence for each picture.  He enjoys it a lot and if he points out anything and

     My son has been so into a book entitled Mail Duck.  This adorable story is about a postal service duck who delivers mail to his friends.  The story has great rhymes and shapes and colors you can highlight with your child as you read.  Also a bonus it has lift flaps!  What kid doesn’t love that!  Mail Duck is written and illustrated by Erica Sirotich.      

  Home practice is a crucial component of pediatric speech therapy because it helps reinforce the skills learned in sessions and supports consistent progress outside of therapy. In my opinion, calling it “home practice” instead of “homework” is key in keeping kids motivated and engaged, as it avoids the negative connotations associated with homework. Home practice can be made fun and interactive, turning it into an enjoyable activity rather than a chore. When children feel involved and excited about practicing at home, they are more likely to carry over what they’ve learned and make meaningful improvements. It creates an opportunity for both children and their families to bond, and it helps reinforce the idea that learning is a continuous, fun

Interactive Activities on PBSKids (pbskids.org/parents) that Foster Language Development, Social Skills, and Increased Independence in Children: Rosie Care: https://pbskids.org/rosiesrules/games/rosie-care Help Rosie take care of animals Skills targeted: Following directions, sequencing, problem solving Babysitting Squee: https://pbskids.org/jellybenandpogo/games/babysitting-squee Help Jelly, Ben, & Pogo get Squee to sleep Skills targeted: Following directions, problem solving, vocabulary skills  Super Duper Halo-Halo: https://pbskids.org/jellybenandpogo/games/halo-halo Help Jelly, Ben, & Pogo find ingredients to make the Filipino dessert, Halo-Halo Skills targeted: Following directions, sequencing, vocabulary skills Riding with Rosie: https://pbskids.org/rosiesrules/games/riding-with-rosie Help Rosie complete activities of daily living across the community Skills targeted: Following directions, problem solving, vocabulary skills

Spring is a season of renewal, growth, and adventure. It is the perfect time to introduce little ones to books that celebrate nature, animals, and new beginnings. *”The Very Hungry Caterpillar” by Eric Carle This book follows the journey of a tiny caterpillar as it eats its way through different foods before transforming into a butterfly. *”Planting a Rainbow” by Lois Ehlert This book introduces children to the magic of gardening and showcasing how seeds grow into colorful flowers. *”The Tiny Seed” by Eric Carle Another Carle favorite, this book follows a small seed’s journey as it travels through the seasons and grows into a towering flower.  *”The Golden Egg Book” by Margaret Wise Brown This story follows a bunny

Our team member Holly and her son love to read together! Here are some of their favorites along with some language enrichment ideas! My son has been so into a book entitled Mail Duck.  This adorable story is about a postal service duck who delivers mail to his friends.  The story has great rhymes and shapes and colors you can highlight with your child as you read.  Also a bonus it has lift flaps!  What kid doesn’t love that!  Mail Duck is written and illustrated by Erica Sirotich Another great book – Moon (a peek a through book) by Britta Teckentrup is a book that highlights the phases of the moon and its influence of various animals.  The book contains